Method and apparatus for automatically testing high pressure and high temperature sedimentation of slurries

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for automatically testing high pressure and high temperature sedimentation of slurries is described. The method includes pumping a sample drilling fluid into a test cell. The sample drilling fluid may be subjected to a pre-determined pressure and a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined period of time. The test cell may also be oriented at non-vertical angle. The sample drilling fluid may be pumped out of the test cell and the density of the sample drilling fluid automatically measured relative to a displaced fluid volume of the sample drilling fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/478,974, entitled “A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLYTESTING HIGH PRESSURE AND HIGH TEMPERATURE SEDIMENTATION OF SLURRIES”and filed on May 23, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to simulating downholeformation environments and, more particularly, the present disclosurerelates to a method and apparatus for automatically testing highpressure and high temperature sedimentation of slurries.

Subterranean drilling operations typically utilize drilling fluids toprovide hydrostatic pressure to prevent formation fluids from enteringinto the well bore, to keep the drill bit cool and clean duringdrilling, to carry out drill cuttings, and to suspend the drill cuttingswhile drilling is paused and when the drilling assembly is brought inand out of the borehole. In certain drilling fluids, fine solids may bemixed into a slurry with a liquid component. The slurry may then beintroduced downhole as part of the drilling process. The effectivenessof the slurry may depend, however, on the static sag property of thedrilling fluid, which describes the tendency of a fine solid, such asbarite, calcium carbonate, etc., to separate from the liquid componentand settle. The static sag can result in variations in mud density inthe wellbore, with the light density on top and the heavy density is atthe bottom.

Tests to determine the static sag property of a drilling fluid typicallyare performed manually and generate limited density profiles. Forexample, current systems may use a syringe to manually draw a sample(s)from a particular area(s) of a test container, which limits the densitymeasurement to the particular areas where the sample(s) were collected.Another test system uses a cup at a bottom of a test container tocollect settled solids, which are then weighed to obtain a density, butsuch a method does not provide density measurements at particularlocations within the drilling fluid. Moreover, the structural componentsof existing test apparatuses limit the pressures which can be applied tothe drilling fluids, which, in turn, limits the types of subterraneanformation which can be simulated. What is needed is an automated androbust way to test static sag of drilling fluids in a variety ofsimulated conditions.

FIGURES

Some specific exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be understoodby referring, in part, to the following description and the accompanyingdrawings.

FIGS. 1a-b illustrate an example test cell, incorporating aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 2a-c illustrate an apparatus and method automatically testing sagproperties of drilling fluids, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example automated control system, according toaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example test cell, incorporating aspects of thepresent disclosure.

While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and describedand are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure,such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no suchlimitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable ofconsiderable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form andfunction, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and havingthe benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodimentsof this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope ofthe disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates generally to simulating downholeformation environments and, more particularly, the present disclosurerelates to a method and apparatus for automatically testing highpressure and high temperature sedimentation of slurries.

Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described indetail herein. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actualimplementation may be described in this specification. It will of coursebe appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment,numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thespecific implementation goals, which will vary from one implementationto another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of the present disclosure.

To facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, thefollowing examples of certain embodiments are given. In no way shouldthe following examples be read to limit, or define, the scope of thedisclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable tohorizontal, vertical, deviated, or otherwise nonlinear wellbores in anytype of subterranean formation. Embodiments may be applicable toinjection wells as well as production wells, including hydrocarbonwells.

The present disclosure describes a system and apparatus forautomatically testing sag properties of drilling fluids. The apparatus,for example, may include a test cell with a first pump and a second pumpin fluid communication with the test cell. The first pump mayautomatically introduce a sample drilling fluid into the test cell, andthe second pump may automatically impart a pre-determined pressure onthe sample drilling fluid within the test cell. A density transducer mayalso be in fluid communication with the test cell, and may be operableto automatically measure a density of the sample drilling fluid relativeto a fluid volume of the sample drilling fluid, providing a complete ornear complete, top-to-bottom density profile of the drilling fluid.

FIGS. 1a-b illustrate an example test cell 100, according to aspects ofthe present disclosure. Test cell 100 may comprises a generallycylindrical, tubular structure comprising a first tubular portion 102, asecond tubular portion 104, and a tee fitting 106. The tee fitting 106may be disposed between the first tubular portion 102 and second tubularportion 104. The first tubular portion 102, a second tubular portion104, and a tee fitting 106 may define a single test chamber 122 with agenerally consistent inner diameter. In certain embodiments, the firsttubular portion 102 and the second tubular portion 104 may comprisestandard one inch outside diameter pressure tubing, rated to withstand20,000 pounds per square inch (psi) or more. The test chamber 122,within the test cell 100, may have, for example, a 0.562 inch innerdiameter and a length of 19 inches long. Although the test cell 100 andits illustrated components are shown as cylindrical, with resultingdiameters, other shapes and sizes are possible, as would be appreciatedby one of ordinary skill in view of this disclosure.

The first tubular portion 102 and second tubular portion 104 may beintegral with or coupled to the tee fitting 106 via high-pressurefittings 118 and 120. Like the first tubular portion 102 and the secondtubular portion 104, the high-pressure fitting 118 and 120 may be ratedto withstand up to 20,000 psi. Each of the first tubular portion 102,the second tubular portion 104, and the tee fitting 106 may have asimilar internal diameter, or may be modified to equalize their internaldiameters. For example, tee fitting 106 may include a sleeve thatequalizes the internal diameter of the tee fitting with the internaldiameters of the first tubular portion 102 and the second tubularportion 104, such that the test chamber 122 comprises a generallyconsistent diameter.

The test cell 100 may further include an isolator, isolation piston 124,within the test chamber 122. Isolation piston 124 may have an outerdiameter similar to diameter of the inner chamber 122, and may move fromthe bottom of the test cell to the top of the test cell, within the testchamber 122. As can be seen, the isolation piston 124 may include seals126 and 128 that isolate the area of the test cell 100 below theisolation piston 124 from the area above the isolation piston 124. Incertain embodiments, seals 126 and 128 may comprise o-rings installedwithin grooves on the isolation piston 124 and may engage with the wallof the test cell 102 defining the test chamber 122 as it moves withinthe test chamber 122. The seals 126 and 128 may be separated on theisolation piston 124 by a pre-determined distance, such that as theisolation piston 124 moves through the tee fitting 106, one seal remainsin contact with the wall of the test chamber 122 which the other seal ispassing port 112, as will be described below.

The test cell 100 may include multiple openings, providing multiplefluid communication channels with the test chamber 122. In certainembodiments, the first tubular portion 102 may define a first opening108 at the top of the test cell 100, the second tubular portion 104 maydefine a second opening 110 at the bottom of the test cell 100, and thetee fitting may define a third opening 112, a side port between thefirst opening 108 and the second opening 110. Each of the openings mayprovide fluid communication with the inner chamber 122. In operation,the test cell 100 may be coupled to and in fluid communication withother elements through first opening 108, second opening 110, and sideport 112 via control valves 114, 136, and 116, respectively. Each of thecontrol valves may be controlled automatically as part of an automatedcontrol system, as will be described below.

In certain embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the top and bottom of the test cell 100 may be coupled tohigh-pressure rated connections. For example the top of the test cellmay be coupled to connection 150 via high-pressure fitting 152, and thebottom of the test cell 100 may be coupled to connection 160 viahigh-pressure fitting 162. The high-pressure rated fitting 152 and 162may be rated to handle pressures similar to the fittings 118 and 120described previously.

FIG. 1a illustrates an example configuration whereby the test cell 100is prepared for testing. In certain embodiments, a sample drilling fluidmay be pumped into the test chamber 122 through side port 112 via opencontrol valve 116, as indicated by arrow 132. As can be seen, the sampledrilling fluid may be contained within the test chamber 122 on a topside of the isolation piston 124 proximate the first opening 108,separated from the bottom part of the test chamber 122, proximate thesecond opening 110. As the sample drilling fluid enters the test chamber122, air within the test chamber may be forced out of first opening 108through open control valve 114, as indicated by arrow 134. Once theportion of the test chamber 112 above the isolation piston 124 is filledwith the sample drilling fluid, and the control valve 114 closed toisolate the sample drilling fluid, a pressurization fluid may also bepumped into the test chamber 122 through the second opening 110 via opencontrol valve 136, as indicated by arrow 130. Notably the pressurizationfluid may be isolated from the sample drilling fluid by the isolationpiston 124.

Once the air is forced out of the test chamber 122, control valves 114and 116 may be closed, isolating the sample drilling fluid within a topportion of the test chamber 122, as is shown in FIG. 1b . Pressurizationfluid can then be forced into or removed from the lower portion throughthe second opening 110, imparting pressure on the sample drilling fluidby imparting pressure on the isolation piston 124. The pressure may beapplied to the sample drilling fluid for a pre-determined period oftime, at which time the control valve 114 may be opened. Once thecontrol valve 114 is opened, additional pressurization fluid may beintroduced into the test chamber 122 through the second opening 110,forcing the isolation piston upwards and the sample drilling fluid outof the top opening 108. Additional pressurization fluid may be addedinto the test chamber 122 until the isolation piston 124 contacts a topsurface of the test cell 100. At that point, the pressure within thetest chamber may spike, triggering the removal of the pressurizationfluid from the test chamber 122.

FIGS. 2a-c show an example testing apparatus 200 incorporating the testcell 202, according to aspects of the present inventions. Test cell 202may be disposed within a heating jacket 204. The heating jacket 204 maycomprise a single element at least partially surrounding the test cell202, or may be segmented. The heating jacket 204 may impart heat to asample drilling fluid disposed within the test cell 202, simulatingsubterranean conditions.

The test cell 202 may be in fluid communication with a first pump 224through an opening, side port 210. The side port 210 may comprise anopening in a tee fitting, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1aand 1b . Additionally, the opening may not be disposed along the side ofthe test cell 202, but may be located elsewhere along the test cell 202body. The first pump 224 may comprise a low pressure pump and may be influid communication with a sample drilling fluid reservoir 222.

The test cell 202 may also be in fluid communication with a second pump214 through an opening 208 in the bottom of the test cell 202. Incertain embodiments, as will be described below, the pump 214 maycomprise a high-pressure pump, such as a syringe pump, that is operableto pump fluid into and out of the test cell 202. The second pump 214 maybe in fluid communication with a pressurization fluid reservoir 216.

The test cell 202 may be in further communication with an automatedmeasurement device 232 through opening 212 at the top of the test cell202. In certain embodiments, the automated measurement device maycomprise a density transducer, that is operable to receive a sampledrilling fluid from the test cell 202 and determine the density of thefluid relative to the fluid volume displaced within the test cell 202,as will be described below. The automated measurement device 232 may bein fluid communication with a sample collector 234, which may collectthe sample drilling fluid once it passes through the automatedmeasurement device 232. In other embodiments, the automated measurementdevice 232 may be excluded from the apparatus. In those embodiments, forexample, fluid volumes can be pumped incrementally from the test cell202. The density of the sample drilling fluid from the test cell 202 maybe determined relative to the fluid volume displaced within the testcell 202 by determining the mass of the sample drilling fluid for eachincremental volume sample.

FIG. 2a illustrates an example apparatus configuration whereby the testcell 202 is being filled with a sample drilling fluid and prepared fortesting. As can be seen, the control valve 226 between the first pump224 and the test cell 202 may be open, allowing the sample drillingfluid from the sample drilling fluid reservoir 222 to be pumped into thetest cell 202 in the area above the isolation piston 206. The controlvalve 218 between the second pump 214 and the test cell 202 may furtherbe open, allowing the pressurization fluid from the pressurizationreservoir to be pumped into the test cell 202 in the area below theisolation piston. In certain embodiments, enough pressurization fluidmay be pumped into the test cell 202 to ensure that the isolation pistonis essentially stationary which the first pump 224 pumps the sampledrilling fluid into the test cell 202. In other embodiment, controlvalve 218 may be shut to ensure that the isolation piston remainsstationary. The volume under the isolation piston 206 may be pre-filledwith pressurization fluid. As the test cell 202 is filled with thesample drilling fluid, the air within the test cell 202 will be flushedout of the test cell, through open control valves 220 and 230. Duringthe filling process, control valve 228 may be closed, isolating theautomated measurement device 232.

Once the air has been flushed out of the test cell 202, control valves220 and 226 may be closed, isolating the sample drilling fluid withinthe test cell 202, as can be seen in FIG. 2b . Once the sample drillingfluid is isolated within the test cell 202, a pre-determined pressureand a pre-determined temperature may be applied to the sample drillingfluid. For example, the heating jacket 204 may then begin heating thesample drilling fluid to a pre-determined temperature corresponding tosimulated subterranean conditions. Additionally, the second pump 214 maybe engaged to apply a pressure to the sample drilling fluid by pumpingadditional pressurization fluid into the test cell 202, below theisolation piston 206. As can be seen, the isolation piston 206 may beforced upward by the pressurization fluid to apply the target pressureon the sample drilling fluid. As the temperature increases, the sampledrilling fluid may expand, increasing the pressure within the test cellbeyond the target pressure. In certain embodiments, the second pump 214may monitor the pressure within with test cell 202 and remove somepressurization fluid from the test cell 202 to return the test cell 202to the target pressure. The pre-determined temperature andpre-determined pressure may be selected to correspond to subterraneanconditions in which a similar drilling fluid may be used.

In certain embodiments, the test cell 202 may be also oriented at apre-determined, non-vertical angle, such as up to 60°. By orienting thetest cell 202 at a non-vertical angle, the apparatus 200 can be used tosimulate a non-vertical borehole, increasing the subterranean conditionsthat can be simulated as part of the sag measurement process. The testcell 202 may remain at the pre-determined temperature, pre-determinedpressure, and the pre-determined orientation for a particular period oftime, such as 8 to 96 hours. The time period for the test may beselected according to static time a similar drilling fluid might beexposed to in actual downhole use. After the pre-determined time period,the test cell 202 may be cooled to, for example, 120° F. to allow forthe test cell to be exposed to atmospheric pressure.

FIG. 2c illustrates an example measurement configuration for theapparatus 200. Once the sample drilling fluid in test cell 202 has beenexposed to the downhole pressures and temperatures as part of thetesting process, the sample drilling fluid may be pumped out of the testcell 202, and the density of the sample drilling fluid may beautomatically measured relative to a displaced fluid volume of thesample drilling fluid. For example, control valve 220 may be opened toallow the sample drilling fluid to pumped out of the test cell 202.Additionally, control valve 228 may be opened and control valve 230 maybe closed, forcing the sample drilling fluid to be pumped into theautomated measurement device 232.

Second pump 214 may pump pressurization fluid into the test cell 202.Pumping the pressurization fluid into the test cell 202 will force theisolation piston 206 upwards, causing the sample drilling fluid to bepumped out of the test cell 202. As the sample drilling fluid isreceived in the automated measurement device 232, the automatedmeasurement device 202 may take continuous, or near continuous,measurements of the density of the sample drilling fluid. In certainembodiments, the density of the sample drilling fluid may be determinedrelative to the sample drilling fluid's location within the test cell202. The sample drilling fluid's location within the test cell may bebased, at least in part, on the volume of the sample drilling fluid thathas been displaced from the test cell 202 at the time the measurement istaken. In certain embodiments, the amount of displaced drilling fluidmay correspond to the amount of pressurization fluid that has beenpumped into the test cell 202 by the second pump 214 to displace thesample drilling fluid within the test cell 202.

Although the embodiments described above include a test cell with aninternal isolation piston, other embodiments of the apparatus arepossible for subjecting the sample drilling fluid to a pre-determinedpressure. FIG. 4 illustrates an example test cell 400 that includes aplunger 404 instead of an isolation piston. In certain embodiment, theplunger 404 may comprise a syringe-pump-like plunger or piston that canbe used to impart a pre-determined pressure directly on the sampledrilling fluid within the test chamber 402. The plunger 404 may becoupled to a shaft 406, which is in turn coupled to plunger driver 408that may move the plunger 404 into and out of the test chamber 402,imparting pressure on the sample drilling fluid within the test chamber402. Likewise, the plunger 404 could be fully inserted to eject thesample drilling fluid or retracted to allow a particular volume ofsample drilling fluid to be pumped into the test chamber 402. The testcell 400 could, in certain embodiments, be substituted for the test cellshown in FIGS. 2a-c , eliminating the need for the pressurization fluidreservoir 216 and pump 214.

As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in view of thisdisclosure, the apparatus 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2a-c may beadvantageous because many of the components and steps my be automated.For example, the steps of filling the test cell with a sample drillingfluid, subjecting the sample drilling fluid to the simulated downholeconditions, and measuring the sag profile of the sample drilling fluidmay all be automated. In certain embodiments, some or all of the controland measurement described above may be performed using an automatedcontrol system 500, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In certain embodiments,the automated control system 300 may comprise a Supervisory Control andData Acquisition (SCADA) system.

As can be seen, the automated control system 300 may include a controlunit 302, such as a computer system, that includes a processor 302 a andmemory coupled to the processor 302 b. The control unit may beelectrically or communicably coupled, via wires or other suitabletransmission media, to elements of the apparatus described above. Forexample, the control unit 302 may be in communication with and issuecommands to control valve 218, 226, 220, 228, and 230 causing them toopen or close automatically depending on the corresponding steps of thesag measurement process. Likewise, the control unit 302 may be incommunication with and issue commands causing the first pump 224 andsecond pump 214 to pump the corresponding fluids into the test cell,including the rate with which the fluid are pumped into the test cell,and in the case of the second pump 214. Additionally, the control unitmay include saved parameters corresponding to the pre-determinetemperature, pre-determined pressure, pre-determined orientation, andpre-determined time described above. For example, the control unit 302may be cause the heating jacket 204 to heat the sample drilling fluid tothe pre-determined temperature. Likewise, the control unit 302 may causethe test cell to be oriented at a particular non-vertical angle, andcause the second pump 214 to impart and maintain a target pressure onthe sample drilling fluid. Likewise, the control unit may automaticallyswitch between downhole simulation and measurement mode, opening up theappropriate control valves and triggering the automated measurementdevice 232 to begin measuring the sag properties of the sample drillingfluid. The control unit may also receive the measurements from theautomated control device 232, process the data, and generate informationrelated to the sag properties of the sample drilling fluid.

Although the test cell described above is shown in a substantiallyvertical configuration with a corresponding top opening, side opening,and bottom opening, such a configuration is not meant to be limiting.Rather, the test cell may be oriented in a variety of ways as would beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in view of this disclosure. Forexample, the test cell may be inverted such that the pressurizationfluid is pumped into the test cell through a top opening and the sampledrilling fluid pumped into the test cell through a bottom opening.

Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends andadvantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. Theparticular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as thepresent disclosure may be modified and practiced in different butequivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having thebenefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations areintended to the details of construction or design herein shown, otherthan as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that theparticular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered ormodified and all such variations are considered within the scope andspirit of the present disclosure. Also, the terms in the claims havetheir plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearlydefined by the patentee. The indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used inthe claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of theelement that it introduces.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for testing a property of drillingfluids, comprising: pumping a sample drilling fluid into a test cellthrough a first control valve by a first pump in fluid communicationwith the test cell; isolating the sample drilling fluid within the testcell by the first control valve and a second control valve; subjectingthe sample drilling fluid within the test cell to a pre-determinedpressure and a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined period oftime by opening a third control valve to allow a pressurization fluid tobe pumped into the test cell by a second pump in fluid communicationwith the test cell when the sample drilling fluid is isolated within thetest cell by the first control valve and the second control valve;pumping the sample drilling fluid out of the test cell through thesecond control valve; and measuring a density of the sample drillingfluid displaced from the test cell through the second control valve by adensity transducer in fluid communication with the test cell.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein pumping the sample drilling fluid into thetest cell comprises pumping by the first pump the sample drilling fluidthrough a side port of the test cell.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of orienting the test cell at a pre-determined,non-vertical angle.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein subjecting thesample drilling fluid within the test cell to a pre-determined pressureincludes moving a plunger within the test cell.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein subjecting the sample drilling fluid within the test cell toa pre-determined temperature includes heating the test cell to apre-determined temperature using a heating jacket at least partiallysurrounding the test cell.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the heatingjacket is at least partially controlled by an automated control system.7. The method of claim 6, wherein the automated control system comprisesa Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.